NPG Asia Materials is aimed at an audience of scientists and researchers across the full spectrum of materials research, and publishes articles from the physical and chemical sciences, biotechnology and nanotechnology. The journal welcomes high-quality review and research articles from all over the world.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

LATEST RESEARCH SUMMARIES

Transparent electrodes: carbon nanomaterials find their silver lining

Spraying graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes onto silver nanowire films enhances the flexibility and durability of see-through electrodes. Conventional transparent electrodes, such as indium tin oxide, are made from rigid crystals that are unsuitable for today's increasingly wearable electronic displays. Now, a team led by Dae-Eun Kim at Yonsei University and Young-Jei Oh at KIST, Korea, has detailed a way to optimize conductivity and mechanical properties in promising replacements based on carbon-metal composites. A multifaceted series of experiments revealed that carbon nanotubes added spring-like stress resistance when deposited on transparent silver nanowire films, and a finishing coating of reduced graphene oxide helped lock the nanowires in place and provided lubrication against friction. As a demonstration, the researchers turned the new three-layer electrode into a transparent heater that could selectively remove frost in patterned regions, even after repeated bending.

Stretchable electronics: Snake-like skin now in fashion

A wearable sensor can track full-range human motion and sniff out toxic gases using polymer nanowires with features similar to snakeskin. The device, which was developed by Pooi See Lee and co-workers at Nanyang Technological University, is based on polyaniline, a conducting polymer with natural flexibility and chemical sensitivity. Polyaniline often becomes unworkably rigid when deposited as a thin film, but the Singapore-based team avoided this issue by growing a vertical forest of polymer nanowires on a thin silicone support. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that when stretched, the nanowires formed scale-like islands and cracks that alter the resistance of the thin film. The researchers demonstrated that these electrical changes were sensitive enough to use for forehead sensors of breathing and eye movement and as a ‘smelling skin’ for detecting methane–an odorless and explosive gas.

LATEST RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

NEWS

NPG Asia Materials proudly announces a web focus on organic–inorganic perovskites and photovoltaics. The web focus features a selection of articles on synthesis and applications of novel perovskite materials as well as on technologies related to perovskite solar cells.Access the Web Focus today!

NPG Asia Materials is proud to present Review Collection 2015-2016, putting together recent reviews published in the journal.These reviews are written by prominent scientists and cover cutting-edge areas of materials research.Access the Web Focus today!

NPG Asia Materials is proud to present a web focus on Magnetic materials for spintronic devices. This web focus features a selection of articles that are related to magnetic materials for potential application in magnetoelectronic and spintronic devices. Such materials include artificial multiferroics, half metallic Heusler alloys, topological insulators, Dirac semimetals, manganites, nanofibers, and spin wave materials, as well as molecular interfaces.Access the Web Focus today!

NPG Asia Materials is proud to present a web focus on materials for advanced energy conversion and storage. This web focus features a selection of articles that are related to the processes of converting and storing energy, including concepts of novel fuel cells, processing and materials for solar cells, as well as high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors and ion batteries.Access the Web Focus today!

This web focus features a selection of articles on topics that range from biomaterials such as cellulose or silk protein to bio-inspired materials such as polymer nanotubes and topological nanostructures to functional device concepts such as DNA computers or nanowire biosensors.Access the Web Focus today!

In response to community feedback, NPG Asia Materials is pleased to announce the addition of Research Highlights to the journal's content.
Research Highlights are short, informative articles that highlight and explore significant research published in the best materials science journals. They are authored by active scientists in the field who use their expertise to provide insightful perspectives on recently published research.
This new feature will help to keep you in touch and up-to-date with the most important materials science research.Read NPG Asia Materials' Research Highlights today

This web focus features a selection of articles concentrating on materials that are formed inherently as two-dimensional layers, such as graphene, and on material structures assembled into layered architectures by processes such as layer-by-layer assembly or self-rolling.Access the Web Focus today!